The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society's next "Tapping History" program will be held Monday and focus on Tonka Bay's history.

The event, "Tales from Tonka Bay," will feature historian Paul Maravelas and takes place at 7 p.m. at the Excelsior Brewery, 421 3rd St., Excelsior. The event is free.

"Tapping History: Pints and Reflections on Lake Minnetonka's Past" is a series featuring a history expert, meeting the second Monday of each month at the Excelsior pub.

For more information, e-mail info@elmhs.org or call 952-221-4766.

KELLY SMITH

HENNEPIN COUNTY

Help is available to find needed in-home services

Hennepin County wants to make it easy for independent seniors and the disabled to get help in their homes and communities. The goal is to get services that allow people to live on their own as long as possible.

For the first five months of this year, the county is offering a series of referral and informational meetings.

To make a referral and get an initial consultation, call 612-348-4500, option 1.

For in-person meetings, a list of personal identifying information as well as health and financial data is necessary.

Among the topics of information sessions: developmental disabilities waivers, waivers for those under 65, services for seniors, adult housing and vocational services, transition services from ages 18 to 21, guardianship, and consumer support grants.

The sessions will take place throughout the county in public facilities such as the Brookdale and Ridgedale libraries and the Minneapolis Urban League.

To register or find the schedule, register online at www.hennepin.us/cmtysupport.

ROCHELLE OLSON

Minneapolis

Park chief to get a raise, putting salary at state cap

Minneapolis Park Superintendent Jayne Miller got a $14,003 raise in 2015 under a proposal approved by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board last week.

That is a 9.2 percent increase over her current contract. But she'll likely get much smaller raises in the later years of her contract.

The proposal would pay Miller, who was hired in 2010, a salary of $165,003 annually starting July 1. That's the maximum allowed under the state's local government salary cap law. The proposal would raise Miller's pay by the amount allowed under the state cap through 2018.

The proposal has a new clause that requires Miller to give 60 days notice if she wants to end the contract before it expires. It continues to require that she live in Minneapolis. Miller pays market-rate rent to occupy a portion of the superintendent's house in Lyndale Farmstead Park. Without that rent, the value of the housing would count against the salary cap.

Steve Brandt

Stillwater

Community Thread offers tax help to seniors, others

Community Thread will be offering free tax assistance in partnership with AARP Tax Aide volunteers and the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The service is available to seniors, people with disabilities and low-income families, regardless of place of residence.

Trained AARP volunteers will be available by appointment to assist with tax filing from early February through April 15. Volunteers will help file federal and state taxes, and Earned Income Tax Credit and renters' credits.

Appointments can be made starting Monday by calling 651-439-7434. Appointments will be held at Community Thread, 2300 W. Orleans St., Stillwater. People will need to bring tax-related documents that are listed on the Community Thread website at www.communitythreadmn.org. New this year is the requirement to show proof of health insurance coverage.

Community Thread programs include the Stillwater and Bayport senior centers, the Volunteer Center, transportation, Medical Reserve Corps and Holiday Hope.